MAPUTO REPORT ON THE 4TH BIENNIAL RUFORUM CONFERENCE 19TH-25TH JULY 2014
The conference coincided with the 10th anniversary of RUFORUM which took place 10 years after the Maputo declaration which initiated governments commitment to use 10% of their budget in agriculture. The hosting institution for the conference was Mondlane university, Mozambique held at VIP hotel
H.E. Dr.Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma- AU chairperson opened the conference and promised to take the case of RUFORUM to AU so that it is nolonger represented by non- governmental organizations but rather through the ministries of agriculture in the African governments. The delegates felt that non-governmental organization are not trusted by most governments and hence the importance of going to AU through government ministers.
The Biennial conference took place 10 years after the Maputo AU declaration on 2003 that African governments commit 10% of their budgets to agricultural research and development. A need therefore arose for reflection as to what had been achieved and the lessons learned. Ruforum also had an opportunity take stock of what it had done for the last ten years of its existence. This was particularly so as far as capacity building at post graduate level and funding was concerned.
Figure 1. H.E Dlamini Zuma, H.E Graca Machel,H.E. Rhoda Tumusiime, ministers, prof Adipala, vice chancellors in photograpgh at VIP Hotel Maputo at the opening of the 4th Ruforum Biennual Conference
Figure 2. Key diginitariesincluding AU chair person, agriculture ministers, vice chancellors and directors of research institutions attending 4th Biennual Conference poses for a photograpgh at VIP Maputo Hotel Maputo
H.E.Graca Machel member of international panel of elders and former minister of education in Mozambique – championed the formation of African agriculture and finance net work for womenas this will enhance the empowerment of women in agricultural research and development and well as creating a revolving fund for women professionals in agriculture and urged rural communities take agriculture as a business and not a hoppy engage but engage and involve in value chain development. She noted that a granary cannot be filled by borrowing from the neighbor and urged women to strive for sustainable investments in agriculture
Prof. Adipala noted that RUFORUM has 45 member universities with 2 AU commissioners, 10 ministers, 34 vcs, principals, deans and graduate students in attendance in Maputo. Ruforum is a regional body ready to advance and cross continent- critical part for agricultural advancement in continent. It was given the official mandate by AU commission to facilitate and coordinate higher education in agriculture in Africa as key implementing agency for recently adopted science technology and innovation strategy for Africa 2014 and recommended transformation of Ruforum into a continental organisation
Figure 3. The dean Faculty of Agriculture poses for a photograph with visiting vice chancellors at UON/CAVS stand at VIP Hotel Maputo
The number of visitors to CAVS (UON) stand was to say the least overwhelming. Among those visiting CAVS/ UON stand included many vice chancellors including Prof. Olive Mugenda (KU), prof. Mabel Imbuga (JKUAT), Gezira, University of Malawiinter alia. The other important group of visitors were deans of agriculture from attending universities who came to the stand and learn on how UON had designed its academic programmes and the on going research programmes in FOA, FVM and WMIPES including the SEMis project inter-alia
In his presentation at Maputo Dr.Kinama of CAVS used well designed Academic banners showing academic programmes in CAVs, posters showing research advances including SEMis, Faculty of Agriculture brochures, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine brochures, Wangari Mathai institute of Peace and Environmental studies brochures, brochures from College of Biological and physical Sciences, College of Architecture and Engineering, College of Heath Sciences, College of Humanities and Social Sciences and College of Education and External studies
Figure 4. Dr Ahmed and Omar of Kordafu and Gezira Universities Sudan discusseswith Dr Kinama of CAVS possible areas of student training at the CAVS/UON stand Maputo, Mozambique
Figure 5. Dr. Kinama takes the vice chancellor University of Gezira through UON/CAVS academic programmes and research projects at VIP Hotel Maputo
Prof. Mugenda made a presentation on how KU has managed to build infrastructure from internal resources by using hiredarchitects, quantity surveyors and clerks of works as well as borrowing externally. This led to effectively having extensive physical infrastructure for KU
Moreover, there were many paper presentations by CAVS academic staff, post graduates through posters and oral presentations. Along these lines a number of students received prices for their sterling performances in presentations. Picture
Figure 6.Dr Kinama in the company of MSc students at the UON/CAVS stand who attended and presented scientific papers at Ruforum biennual conference, Maputo, Mozambique.
Figure 7.The Dean FOA Prof. Kimechu and Dr Kinama poses for a phograph with phD dryland resource management students who attended the Ruforum biennual conference at Maputo Mozambique
At the same time, Students attended proposal skills development for funding and scientific paper writing. This will most likely attract research funding and make student research sustainable.
The VCs called for PhD training opportunities for increased graduate training which was launched by H.E Dr. Martial de IKounga 25/7/2014 at Maputo. This led to the announcement of 63 PhD training positions by RUFORUM starting in September 2014. CAVS will certainly be one the beneficiaries of this PhD training opportunities particularly for staff development
Figure 8. Mr. Kyuma PhD student at CAVS makes a paper presentation at VIP Hotel Maputo during 4th Biennual conference
Figure 9. Dr. Jane Ambuko who had presented a research paper is joined in a photograpgh by Prof. Kimechu, Dr. Kinama and PhD students at VIP hotel Maputo Mozambique
Figure10 . Dr. Kinama engages Dr. Kate scow from Davis University of Califonia on seed production and processing who had visited CAVS/UON stand, Maputo, Mozambique. This could lead to possible collaborations in capacity building and research at different levels
Figure 11. In his visit to CAVS/UON stand RIK Overmais of SNV Netherlands takes interest in discussion on SEMIs role in sustainable seed production in Africa as Dr Kinama explains
Prof.Magoha Vice chancellor University of Nairobi(UON) honoured us with his presence forthe 10 year RUFORUM celebrations as a leadingVC in performance in east and central Africa. This leading sterling ranking elevated UON profile at Maputo exhibition and enhanced attendance at UON/ CAVS stand. Infact, Prof Adipala visited (UON) stand and continued to be grateful to the Principal CAVS for the excellent exhibitions staged starting from Accra, Kigali and now Maputo. CAVS support to RUFORUM has been overwhelming over the years. It is a land mark exhibition for CAVS because UON had come to increase its visibility to a wider and rich audience in the COMESA region. Indeed a large number of universities from South Africa, Zambia, Malawi, Botswana, Nabimbia visited CAVS stand to sample its academic and research programmes.
Figure 12. Prof. Adipala – executive secretary Ruforum, Prof Kimechu - Dean FOA and Dr J. Kinama look on asH.E. Rhoda Tumusiime signs vistors book at CAVS/UON stand, Maputo Mozambique
Figure 13.Honorable H.E. Rhoda Tumusiime in company of dean Faculty of Agriculture and Adipala visited (UON) CAVS stand were impressed by SEMis project elegant displays. The project created interest from west, east and southern Africa who praised the usefulness of the short courses targeting key stakeholders in the seed industry.poto 100phds and 500msc achieved by ruforum over ten years of existence.
H.E. Rhoda Tumusiime Agriculture and Rural Economy AU Commissioner visited cavs and commented SEMIs efforts in training for effective quality seed production, processing and marketing in collaboration with other key seed stakeholders and funding agencies.
In attendance were Forum for Research Agricultural Researchin Africa(FARA), Association for strengthening agricultural research in east and central Africa (ASARECA). Technical centre for agriculture and rural development (CTA), The centre for coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA) which aim to promote technology generation dissemination and adoption to contribute to food security and livelihoods.
The above inistitutions were available for possible research funding and collaborations which helped many scientists to form regional linkages for research and capacity building.
Over the past Research funding was at a disadvantage to university. Funding in NARS is supposed to be shared with universities but this has not happened. There is a need to correct this anomaly and use highly trained research manpower for meaningful agricultural research and innovations. The Au and African Ministers of Agriculture promised to take a key role in ensuring research funding to universities for effective agricultural research and innovations
CAVS had the opportunity of seeing students from Mozambique inquire about MSc courses offered at CAVS and promised to come and take their studiesat CAVS (UON) –
Figure 14. Students visiting CAVS/UON stand engage Dr Kinama on the diversity of courses offered by CAVS, Maputo, Mozambique
100 phDs and 500msc upto 2011 records achievements and attachment opportunities for undergraduates to gain practical on the hands experience for job market and job creation
Memorandum of understanding between AU and ruforum for ruforum to drive science agenda in higher education and agriculture 26/5/2014
For Africa led and Africa owned doctoral training in Africa should be the wayford advocated by comprehensive Africa Agriculture development programme (CAADP) which is guided by three pillars i) land and water management, ii) market access iii) hunger and agricultural research.
The 4th Ruforum biennual conference attracted the largest attendance of member universities and attracted a lot of attention from the African Union.
Dr Josiah Mwivandi Kinama
CAVS Representative
University exhibitions Committee